Is instant ocean salt consistent enough?

[LordJoshaeus]

Hi everyone! I purchased some regular instant ocean salt for my soon to be set up reef jar; however, subsequent research suggested that instant ocean's parameters might be too inconsistent from batch to batch for good coral growth. Was my research correct? If so, what are some good alternative salt mixes? Thank you

 

[Nano_Man]

It’s been around for many many years
Instant ocean does the job

 

[Littlesquishy]

Planning to switch to instant ocean from red sea blue bucket. I want the higher parameters but not too high like red sea black bucket.

 

[Miami Reef]

Planning to switch to instant ocean from red sea blue bucket. I want the higher parameters but not too high like red sea black bucket.

You can also add sodium bicarbonate to the Red Sea Blue to inexpensively and effectively raise the alkalinity. This is a good idea if the Red Sea is cheaper or easier to source for you.

Just an idea. There’s also nothing wrong with switching to IO if that’s what you prefer. I used both successfully.

 

[Littlesquishy]

You can also add sodium bicarbonate to the Red Sea Blue to inexpensively and effectively raise the alkalinity. This is a good idea if the Red Sea is cheaper or easier to source for you.

Just an idea. There’s also nothing wrong with switching to IO if that’s what you prefer. I used both successfully.

Thats the game plan. I'm not a fan of having to bring new saltwater parameters to match my saltwater tank. I am impressed red sea blue bucket's alk is consistently 7.7 dKh at 1.025 every time. It wouldn't be a bad idea to continue the practice to make sure every water change is a good one.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Hi everyone! I purchased some regular instant ocean salt for my soon to be set up reef jar; however, subsequent research suggested that instant ocean's parameters might be too inconsistent from batch to batch for good coral growth. Was my research correct? If so, what are some good alternative salt mixes? Thank you

Which parameters concern you in this context?

I don’t know if it is more variable than it used to be, but it’s all I used for 20 years and the tank seemed just fine.

 

[KStatefan]

Hi everyone! I purchased some regular instant ocean salt for my soon to be set up reef jar; however, subsequent research suggested that instant ocean's parameters might be too inconsistent from batch to batch for good coral growth. Was my research correct? If so, what are some good alternative salt mixes? Thank you

It is the most used salt.

What was the variation of the parameters in your research?

 

[BeanAnimal]

My understanding has been that due to the large batch sizes and near continual production, that is one of the most consistent salts sold.

 

[Dom]

I've been using Instant Ocean Reef Crystals since starting in the hobby. There was only one time when the ALK wasn't mixing to the number on the box. BRS replaced it immediately.

I think it is a good quality, affordable salt.

 

[BeanAnimal]

I've been using Instant Ocean Reef Crystals since starting in the hobby. There was only one time when the ALK wasn't mixing to the number on the box. BRS replaced it immediately.

I think it is a good quality, affordable salt.

I use the regular old IO, essentially the same but cheaper. I think the batch consistency info that I mentioned above came from an IO employee years ago. They indicated that RC was smaller batches and had more of a chance of being “off” compared to IO. At that time (no clue anymore) IO was used by most zoos and research facilities. I do agree that they are both quality salts.

It makes sense even if anecdotal this many years later. I do know that there are numerous posts about designer and niche salts regularly have bad batches.

FWIW - I dose and no longer do water changes. Salt parameters just don’t really matter to me much anymore. My system pushed about 500ml of SSW a a day to replace water used in automated testing.

 

[Pntbll687]

For me, instant ocean was great until it wasn't. Bags tested between 8-9dkh consistently with calcium between 390-440. Then out of the blue, I had did a large 40% water change, and coral started melting. Did another change two days later, and it didn't stop. Turns out the alk was 13.5 in the box I was using. The high alk combined with kalk dosing was not good. Lost allot in that time.

Switched to Salinity from aquavitro. All good since. Salinity has the parameters that it should test at on the box, so if I test a new batch it gives an idea of where it should be.

 

[BeanAnimal]

For me, instant ocean was great until it wasn't. Bags tested between 8-9dkh consistently with calcium between 390-440. Then out of the blue, I had did a large 40% water change, and coral started melting. Did another change two days later, and it didn't stop. Turns out the alk was 13.5 in the box I was using. The high alk combined with kalk dosing was not good. Lost allot in that time.

Switched to Salinity from aquavitro. All good since. Salinity has the parameters that it should test at on the box, so if I test a new batch it gives an idea of where it should be.

Just an FYI for ANY salt…

The salt crystals and additive major and trace elements are separate. So salt crystals and powders. During shipping and handling the lighter and heavier particles tend to settle differently and can easily lead to what you observed.

Bag or bucket, you need to mix the entire quantity very well before use.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi everyone! I purchased some regular instant ocean salt for my soon to be set up reef jar; however, subsequent research suggested that instant ocean's parameters might be too inconsistent from batch to batch for good coral growth. Was my research correct? If so, what are some good alternative salt mixes? Thank you

Besides the number of years its been around, many public aquariums use this salt exclusively and a salt that has noy have had field issues compared to a couple other brands

 

[Doctorgori]

TBH anymore I get whatever is cheapest and don’t worry about it ….I used to mix orange w/ purple stuff, red with blue bucket …within reason to me salt params is just not a big factor with automated dosing

 

[Sophie"s mom]

It is all I have ever used. 17 years ago when I had a tank it is all I used, and now with my new set up, I use the I/O reef crystals, which is also great. You will not go wrong with that salt. As others have said, it has been around for many, many years.

 

[Reefer Matt Verified Media Partner]

Hi everyone! I purchased some regular instant ocean salt for my soon to be set up reef jar; however, subsequent research suggested that instant ocean's parameters might be too inconsistent from batch to batch for good coral growth. Was my research correct? If so, what are some good alternative salt mixes? Thank you

Have you made your decision already, and want alternatives? IO was good when I used it. I use Reef Crystals now with no problems.

 

[exnisstech]

I've been mixing IO and RC for a few years and have never had an issue. Main reason was cost. I stocked up on both when buckets could be found on sale, at times less than $30 each. Before mixing the two I used IO alone without issues. I can't comment on consistency between batches because I rarely check anything but salinity on my fresh salt water mix.
I do mix mine by rolling the bucket around and flipping it up and down a few times before I open it.

 

[LordJoshaeus]

Which parameters concern you in this context?

I don’t know if it is more variable than it used to be, but it’s all I used for 20 years and the tank seemed just fine.

It is the most used salt.

What was the variation of the parameters in your research?

I don't remember all of them...i do remember magnesium levels being one that was mentioned.

My understanding has been that due to the large batch sizes and near continual production, that is one of the most consistent salts sold.

Just an FYI for ANY salt…

The salt crystals and additive major and trace elements are separate. So salt crystals and powders. During shipping and handling the lighter and heavier particles tend to settle differently and can easily lead to what you observed.

Bag or bucket, you need to mix the entire quantity very well before use.

Good to know! Thank you.

Besides the number of years its been around, many public aquariums use this salt exclusively and a salt that has noy have had field issues compared to a couple other brands

All of these posts make me feel a lot better about using instant ocean. Thank you

 

[Floyd-]

I use plain IO in my tank. If its good enough for the Georgia aquarium then its good enough for me.

 

[smitten with ocean life]

this is making me want to switch to that from red sea. red seais so expensive and i have to order it in....